Typecast a key into an integer?

I'm scratching my head on how to get this done:

integer interval;
link_message(integer sender_num, integer num, string msg, key msg2) {
interval = msg2
}

Returns a type mismatch error.

If I try "interval = (integer)msg2" or if I even cast the type as integer instead of key in the link_message I also get type mismatch errors.

Any idea why, or how I can work around it?

One cannot cast a key into an integer. The key does not contain a number, but a guid, which contain more information than what can be stored in an integer.

It is not quite clear what you are trying to do with your code. Why not declare interval as key?

The Wiki says that link_message's KEY input can be reused as string data, which I do in multiple other places in the script. All I have to do is say

string varaible = (string)msg2

Now I've come across a circumstance where I want to make a calculation with the msg2 field; eg:

integer total = 15 + msg2;

msg2's value in this called instance is a single-digit integer.

You can't perform 'maths' if I typecast it to key, can I?

How about either

integer total = 15 + (integer)msg2;

or

integer total = 15 + (integer)variable;

integer total = 15 + (integer)msg2

returns a type mismatch error as well as it is trying to convert key-msg2 to integer-msg2 I'm thinking. :/

integer total = 15 + (integer) variable

DOES work, however the integer variable is not located in the script and is being passed in by msg2

  default
  {
  
      state_entry()
      {
          key test = "1234";
          integer result = 15 + (integer)((string)test);
      }
      
  }

This should do what you need... You first typecast the Key to a String, then to an Integer. At least, that passes the lslint test, but I'm not in-world to fully test that.

you might be able to get away with

interval = (string)msg2;

but youre safer converting it to integer as well, as Robby demonstrated

That did the trick, thanks so much. I feel ashamed that it was so simple. :/

Heh, if only you knew how often that happens you'd feel better Sometimes you just gotta take a break and change mental gears for a bit.

Glad it helped!